He’s from Los Angeles and plays high-school basketball in Las Vegas, but as far as Amir Garrett is concerned, the St. John’s recruit has a new home.

“I love New York. That’s my home now,” he said. “I like the [St. John’s] campus. It’s small, they got great facilities, great athletic trainers, they got everything I need. I fit perfectly over there.”

The 6-foot-6 left-handed wing still has some unfinished business at national powerhouse Findlay Prep (Nev.), but he can’t wait to start his promising college career as part of Steve Lavin’s top-five nationally ranked recruiting class.

“We’re trying to get a little bond going, a few texts here and there,” Garrett said of his fellow blue-chip recruits. “We’re just excited about the season next year… All these top 100 players, it’s going to be better for our program.”

So what can St. John’s fans expect from Garrett next year?

“I bring intensity on the defensive end, first and foremost,” he said. “That’s what I do, that’s my game. I’m definitely going to be a leader for my team.”

According to Findlay coach Michael Peck, Garrett isn’t just saying the right things.

“He’s got some things you can’t teach – athleticism, speed, explosion — and he’s got a knack for defense,” he said. “You don’t have to beg that out of him. An athlete that will get down and guard? There’s not a lot of guys who are willing to do that.”

On a Findlay team with two high-major Division I guards – Texas-bound point guard Myck Kabongo and Arizona signee Nick Johnson – Garrett plays down low because of the Pilots lack of size. But at St. John’s, Garrett will play on the wing.

“He’s receptive to coaching. “ Peck said. “He listens, he goes in and does exactly what you want him to do and he goes hard. That’s a big advantage. They’ll just continue to build on his skill set on the perimeter.”

And, Peck says, Garrett is already accustomed to what life will be like next year when he dorms at St. John’s.

“He’s already more or less gone through that college freshman phase,” he said. “He’s done the move away from home, live with other guys, preseason, all of that stuff.”

In addition to his soon-to-be fellow freshmen like Maurice Harkless, D’Angelo Harrison, Sir’Dominic Pointer, Jakarr Sampson and Norvel Pelle, Garrett is also familiar with Dwayne Polee, a fellow Angelenos who he played with back home. The Red Storm freshman guard hosted Garrett on his official visit.

Garrett, who chose St. John’s over Oregon, also said the style Lavin plays is a perfect fit for him.

“Coach Lavin gets up and down the court and that’s how I need to play,” Garrett said. “That’s my game. I’m effective in the open court.”

Findlay’s opponents have known that about Garrett. Soon, so will the Big East.

“They want to win,” Garrett said of St. John’s. “They’re getting wins this year and they’re just a completely different team and I can contribute to that.”